HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/05/2009 City Council
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August 5, 2009 Special Session
MINUTES OF SPECIAL SESSION OF COUNCIL
HELD ON AUGUST 5, 2009
The Special Session of the City Council of the City of The Colony, Texas, was called to order at
6:31 p.m. on the 5th day of August 2009, at City Hall, 6800 Main Street, The Colony, Texas,
with the following roll call:
Joe McCourry Mayor Present
Allen Harris Councilmember Present
Richard Boyer Councilmember Present
Jeff Connelly Councilmember Present
Kirk Mikulec Mayor Pro-Tem Present (arrived 7:45)
Perry Schrag Councilmember Absent
Joel Marks Councilmember Absent
And with four council members present a quorum was established and the following items were
addressed:
EXECUTIVE SESSION
1. The City Council shall convene into closed executive session pursuant to Section
551.074 of the Texas Government Code regarding personnel matters, to wit:
Municipal Court Judge evaluation.
Council members met with Municipal Court Judge Deanna Burnett.
RECONVENE OPEN SESSION
2. Any action as a result of Executive Session regarding personnel matters, to wit:
Municipal Court Judge evaluation.
Council reconvened open session at 7:10 p.m.
Motion to approve extending Judge Burnett's contract for a two year term- Boyer, second by
Harris; motion passed with all ayes.
WORK SESSION
3. Work Session to discuss the 2009-2010 Municipal Budget.
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August 5, 2009 Special Session
City Manager Dale Cheatham reviewed the certified tax role, which is .59 percent or approximately
$12m higher than last year's roll. The proposed budget includes reducing the tax rate by 1/2 cent.
The tax revenues will be down $20,897.
In a previous planning meeting, the council gave direction on four specific items for this budget:
reduce the tax rate by '/2 cent, move forward on the design of Phases 1 and lA of the Police and
Courts building, the design of Phase 1 of the Public Services building, and to add Sunday hours for
the Library and expand its electronic resources.
Additional items of interest in this budget include: no utility rate increase, some fee increases, and
no additional personnel with the exception of the CVB position recently authorized. Some positions
that have been vacant will be eliminated. There are no pay increases for employees except for
public safety steps, and there is a 5 percent increase in medical premiums. The Fire department
overtime budget has been increased by $50,000. Dale added that Councilmember Boyer requested a
$2,500 grant to, the Child Advocacy Center that was not included in the budget document.
Dale noted that the Economic Development Corporation is contributing $308,000 for existing debt
service commitments, and about $142,000 for the city's portion of the economic development
incentives provided to Edward Don. He reviewed the General Fund fund balance to be 89 working
days, and the Utility fund balance to have about 104 working days. Capital projects this year
include three police vehicles and equipment, a backhoe, two water distribution pickups, and possibly
an animal control vehicle and another backhoe if maintenance problems persist. It was noted that
rental of the backhoes may be an option.
The city manager noted that the next few years will be challenging for the city and reviewed some
possible scenarios that included a 1/2 cent tax reduction, the two new buildings on the horizon, no
salary increases for employees, the addition of required Jailers, and possibly no increase in the tax
base.
Dale went on to explain two handouts. The first was a summary of percentages in the budget for
personnel services and other items that make up the bulk of the budget. The last handout was a
comparison of expenses from 2003-2004 to this next budget.
The council discussed the possibility not reducing the tax rate this year, and possibly to establish a
mechanism (gain/share program) to follow as guidance when reductions are considered. Further, it
was requested that the following items be discussed in the upcoming public hearing on the budget
(August 17`h.) This will include the possibility of the CDC funding more of the Five Star
maintenance, the social services grants (Child Advocacy Center), the increase in the Fire department
overtime budget versus hiring another firefighter, the tax rate, and leasing the backhoes.
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August 5, 2009 Special Session
And with no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
APPROVED:
e McCou , Mayor
City of Th Colony
ATTEST:
Christi ilson, TRMC, C °
City Secretary °i
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